2025 Models

[Lazerium]

To what extent do we think the 2025 models are afflicted with the known issues (mainly paint bubbling)?

For example, Would a known new build in a later colour (eg Tangelo orange, racing green) still be affected?

[Beachbum]

The prevailing belief is its the door material itself that is the issue, not the paint. The paint bubbling is just a symptom of the issue
Given that there has been no announcement that the doors themselves have been modified(not that Lotus usually do this) and that 2025 cars have seen this issue happen to them, I would say the issue persists and nothing much has changed at all.

[M Daddy]

Any thoughts on whether PPF would help? I had front half and doors done from new and I'm wondering if the bubbling is an interaction purely between the door material and the paint or whether the atmosphere also plays a part. No issues so far for me thankfully. However, I do keep my car garaged which could also be a factor.

[Beachbum]

Panamax said:

M Daddy said:

Any thoughts on whether PPF would help?

No, it wouldn't. The issue is underneath the paint.

I shouldn't be the biggest issue in town, with rectification under warranty. Once fixed (after a suitable interval) it should stay fixed.

Unfortunately not the case. There have been a few(it really is a few) cases of doors that have been replaced, then having the issue too.

[Frimley111R]

Lazerium said:

To what extent do we think the 2025 models are afflicted with the known issues (mainly paint bubbling)?

For example, Would a known new build in a later colour (eg Tangelo orange, racing green) still be affected?

IIRC it was only the first 2500 cars (maybe fewer).

[Lazerium]

OK thanks, so you think a 2025 built car should be free from the issues (as far as you’re aware)?

[Frimley111R]

Lazerium said:

OK thanks, so you think a 2025 built car should be free from the issues (as far as you re aware)?

100% yes.

[croyde]

Would be interesting to know what was changed?

Paint, method, door material?

[Colin P]

My understanding is potentially twofold. I’ve heard that the curing process was not conducted properly and secondly additional drainage has been added.

From online comments it seems as though the inside of the doors are now blue, with the originals finished in white, so removing door panel should reveal whether they have been replaced.

Whilst only (currently) very very minor bubbles on mine, my new doors are at the dealers, so just organising booking it in.

[jamesgareth]

Talking to a guy who runs a local paint shop - has done painting for me on various cars I've owned been in the business for over 40 years so I think he knows what he's talking about....

First off he said he wouldn't touch any bubbling issues if my car ever got them because it's just too much of a risk - as in if they come back they would blame him when the problem he says - is always - that the doors were not stored properly between manufacture and being painted. He says you have to keep them in a place that is 100% free of moisture. Any slight moisture and it creeps into the fibreglass and can take years to surface. McClaren's have a similar issue. It's all down to that storage. Anyhow. That was his thoughts on the matter.

[Frimley111R]

jamesgareth said:

Talking to a guy who runs a local paint shop - has done painting for me on various cars I've owned been in the business for over 40 years so I think he knows what he's talking about....

First off he said he wouldn't touch any bubbling issues if my car ever got them because it's just too much of a risk - as in if they come back they would blame him when the problem he says - is always - that the doors were not stored properly between manufacture and being painted. He says you have to keep them in a place that is 100% free of moisture. Any slight moisture and it creeps into the fibreglass and can take years to surface. McClaren's have a similar issue. It's all down to that storage. Anyhow. That was his thoughts on the matter.

Sounds right. My Evora had a water leak inside it and the first I spotted was bubbling paint on the roof due to the water getting into the fibres and freezing, which led to paint bubbles. Lotus did a good job and sorted it all but it does make you wonder how the supplier failed to keep the doors in a fully dry environment.

[FD]

Been keeping an eye on the Emira since it's release, and hoping some of the issues that affected the earlier models have now been sorted.

Have enquired about a couple of 2025 2.0 turbo SE models (400bhp) and have been told by both dealerships that they are 'pre-release' cars that were used by Lotus employees. Not sure exactly what this means, but is there any risk in taking these on?

[bus_ter]

If they come from a Lotus dealer with a warranty then I wouldn't be concerned. How old are the cars? I think the 400bhp SE's have been around less than a year in the UK, but in other markets they've always been 400bhp. Do they have all the included options of the FE's?

[FD]

These are the two I'm looking at, so yes they will be covered by warranty. Trying to find out if they match the spec of the F.E.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025112180...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025112180...

[jamesgareth]

FD said:

Been keeping an eye on the Emira since it's release, and hoping some of the issues that affected the earlier models have now been sorted.

Have enquired about a couple of 2025 2.0 turbo SE models (400bhp) and have been told by both dealerships that they are 'pre-release' cars that were used by Lotus employees. Not sure exactly what this means, but is there any risk in taking these on?

They'll all have the 3 yr warranty I wouldn't worry about it. They're a sports car - they're supposed to be driven quick so maybe they were thrashed about a bit but those engines are pretty bullet proof anyway (both the V6 and the 2l turbo) so there's that plus like I say you've got a three year warranty too. Relax. Just buy one. While stocks last...

[jamesgareth]

FD said:

These are the two I'm looking at, so yes they will be covered by warranty. Trying to find out if they match the spec of the F.E.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025112180...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025112180...

On i4s the SE's have launch control and better brakes and - I think I'm not sure about this - they all come with sports suspension. Which is not as different to the 'touring' suspension as some try to suggest (5% stiffer...). On the V6 versions they've slightly tweaked the gearbox and again I think they've stiffened up the suspension . All other changes are cosmetic ie colours and branding motifs etc.

Unless you take them on a track I doubt you'd notice much difference between the FE and SE.

More here:

https://www.lotuscars.com/en/press/news/new-perfor...

[BertBert]

Those two look fab to me. How much would they be new?

[FD]

Thanks for all the helpful comments. Those two cars seem to have different performance stats according to autotrader, but the dealer confirmed they are the SE models. I'd prefer if they had heated seats and the premium KEF system but that's not a showstopper. They certainly looking stunning in the pics.

[jamesgareth]

FD said:

Thanks for all the helpful comments. Those two cars seem to have different performance stats according to autotrader, but the dealer confirmed they are the SE models. I'd prefer if they had heated seats and the premium KEF system but that's not a showstopper. They certainly looking stunning in the pics.

Huh? AT has them both the same - and with both cars has them wrong. bhp pn both should be 400 and I'm not so sure that 0-60 time is right either - though 0-60 times are always less consistent but either way the bhp figures are incorrect.

[bus_ter]

FD said:

Thanks for all the helpful comments. Those two cars seem to have different performance stats according to autotrader, but the dealer confirmed they are the SE models. I'd prefer if they had heated seats and the premium KEF system but that's not a showstopper. They certainly looking stunning in the pics.

They appear to have KEF because the photos show the metal speaker grills rather than the plastic ones you get with the base system.
I think the KEF system is something like a £2000 option (check the configurator) so it's a nice addition, and is standard on all FE cars.